After her freshman year at Eastern University, Hailey Shreffler found her solace — or, better yet, her comfort zone.

For Shreffler, it became the foundation of a flourishing cross country and track career.

The Panther Valley graduate recently capped her senior season with a 12th-place finish in the 800-meter run at the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships.

“I think I was comfortable with the collegiate training almost immediately after I finished my first cross country season,” Shreffler said. “It was definitely a change, but I responded well to the training, and after that, I felt I could take on anything that was thrown at me.

“I don’t think I gained comfort and confidence in my racing until the end of my freshman year at outdoor championships. I took on a full racing schedule and qualified for my first 800 final. I ended up scoring in all of my individual events — the 800 and 1,500 — despite the weather, and proved to myself that I belonged.”

Belonging may be an understatement.

Over the years, the former Panther Valley standout accumulated an impressive list of records and honors. This past season alone, she was named the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Track and Field Athlete of the Year, earned MAC first-team honors, was a second-team All-American in the outdoor 800, and broke the program record in the 1,500 with a time of 4:32.63 at the MAC Outdoor Championships.

Shreffler also holds the university record in the 800 (2:14.02, set in March), and ranks second all-time in the indoor mile with a mark of 5:03.57 — just five-tenths of a second off the school record.

In all, her list of accomplishments places her among Eastern’s all-time elite class of runners.

Shreffler said she felt most comfortable in the 800, her primary event for six years, which allowed her to expand into others.

“I felt comfortable running pretty much any of the distance events,” Shreffler said. “It was because I knew where my fitness level was at.”

Like any great athlete, Shreffler also remembers being the underdog — a role that led to one of her most memorable collegiate moments.

“I think my most memorable moment in college was my first championship win, when I won the 1,500 at the 2024 MAC Outdoor Championships,” she said. “I was a complete underdog, seeded seventh — at least 10 seconds slower than the top seed — and had already run two races in the days leading up to this event.

“I came out of nowhere, and it not only made a statement about what kind of athlete I was, but it brought my team together. The love I felt with them celebrating that win was unlike anything. I truly felt so blessed to have those people behind me.”

Her introduction to the sport came in middle school.

“I started track in seventh grade because the coach at the time believed I’d be good at it,” Shreffler said. “Just like most young kids, I wanted a sport that was my own — that I could excel at — and I figured I’d give track a chance.”

It wasn’t always easy. Shreffler was a three-time district place-winner in the 1,600, but admitted she never felt fully at ease with the sport in high school.

“I don’t think there was ever any point in high school where track was ‘comfortable,’” she said. “Things certainly got easier as I got older, and by senior year I felt that most of the time I could handle the training that was thrown at me, but I don’t think it was ever comfortable.

“At the time, I thought the interesting thing about track was that it held you in that uncomfortable position. I never really knew my limits in racing, and for a long time I wasn’t very good at running — so I don’t think I was ever fully comfortable in competition either.”

Panther Valley head coach Bob Thomas saw a strong work ethic and developing passion early on.

“What stood out was her developing love for the sport,” Thomas said. “She had a desire to succeed, and was a very hard worker.

“She had good form for her running, and I knew there were great things ahead for her.”

Thomas also recognized Shreffler’s mental toughness.

“We would talk about the sport — getting better, improving over time, being patient in training, seeing the positives in races, and making good choices,” he said. “She had an uplifting attitude, and was a great role model for her teammates.”

Shreffler credited Thomas for her start — and her success.

“Coach Thomas was the reason I gave running a try to begin with,” she said. “Without his positive outlook on my ability to perform, I’m not sure I would have started running. I fought long and hard to be a jumper because I didn’t think I really stood a shot at becoming a good runner, but Coach Thomas would not let me stop running. Eventually, he was the one who made me focus on middle distance.

“Without his support and excitement for the sport, I would not have had the opportunity to leave my mark on Eastern University’s track and field program like I have. I am forever grateful for his guidance and his drive to push people to be their best and experience new things.”

Thomas added, “I was always there to help her along. An athlete like her does not come around too often. I am very proud of her.”

Shreffler was a four-year honor student at Panther Valley and made the honor roll at Eastern, where she majored in biochemistry and mathematics.

While her pre-race routine was simple, it was centered on faith.

“I’m not super big on any rituals because I think they can get people in their head a little too easily,” Shreffler said. “But I do always pray to God before my races. At the end of the day, all of this is for God’s glory. While it’s not really a ritual, it is the most important part of my race-day routine.”

Just like everything else in her journey, it became another source of comfort.